I struggled with my confidence: Ariel Winter

Los Angeles, Mar 9 (PTI) Actress Ariel Winter says she had a tough time to be able to find her self-confidence.

The 19-year-old actress says she is now hoping to use her platform as a star to help empower other people in her position and give them someone to "look up to".

"Well, I struggled for many years with my own confidence with myself. It was a really long journey to find that confidence, and I think it's really important because there are tons of young girls, young boys, people that are older than me, that don't really have a lot of people to look up to that are outspoken about things like that."

"And I thought, you know, I went through so much at a young age, I was criticised for everything -- the way I looked, the way I dressed, what I said. And I thought for a while that if I changed the way I was that people would accept me. I tried, and they still didn't," Winter told on "The View".

The "Modern Family" star says she is not concerned about the "negative comments" she will get for opening up about her struggle, as she is more interested in helping those who need it.

"So that's what I try and tell people is, 'Do what makes you happy,' and that is ultimately going to be the best thing for you. I just feel like regardless of the negative comments I'll get for speaking out, it matters so much more to me the positive feedback that I get, that I'll take those negative comments and it doesn't matter. I'm just happy to help.